The mid-range smartphone market is fiercely competitive, and the Huawei nova 13i and Realme 12 Pro+ represent compelling options for budget-conscious buyers. While both aim to deliver a premium experience without the flagship price tag, they take distinctly different approaches to achieving this goal, primarily revolving around chipset choice and charging technology. This comparison dives deep into the specifications and real-world implications to determine which device offers the best value.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and faster charging, the Realme 12 Pro+ emerges as the stronger contender. Its Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset and 67W charging significantly outperform the nova 13i’s Snapdragon 680 and 40W charging, justifying the potential price difference.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 18, 19, 20, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41 | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41 |
| 5G bands | - | 1, 3, 5, 8, 28, 40, 41, 77, 78 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2024, December 14 | 2024, January 29 |
| Status | Available. Released 2025, January | Available. Released 2024, January 29 |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 163.3 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm (6.43 x 2.94 x 0.33 in) | 161.5 x 74 x 8.8 mm (6.36 x 2.91 x 0.35 in) |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 199 g (7.02 oz) | 196 g (6.91 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 1080 x 2388 pixels (~391 ppi density) | 1080 x 2412 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~394 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.7 inches, 108.7 cm2 (~89.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.7 inches, 108.0 cm2 (~90.4% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 90Hz | AMOLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, 800 nits (HBM), 950 nits (peak) |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Octa-core (4x2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4x1.9 GHz Cortex-A53) | Octa-core (4x2.40 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm) | Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 610 | Adreno 710 |
| OS | EMUI 14.2, no Google Play Services | Android 14, Realme UI 5.0 |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 108 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), PDAF
Auxiliary lens | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR, panorama | LED flash, HDR, panorama |
| Triple | - | 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS
64 MP, f/2.8, 71mm, (periscope telephoto), 1/2.0", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
8 MP, f/2.2, 16mm, 112˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | 8 MP, f/2.0, (wide) | 32 MP, f/2.4, 22mm (wide) |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 1080p@30fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 5.2, A2DP, LE |
| NFC | Yes | Yes (market/region dependent) |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS | GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, compass | Fingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | 40W wired, 3-62% in 30 min | 67W wired, 50% in 19 min |
| Type | Li-Po 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | White, Blue | Submarine Blue, Navigator Beige, Explorer Red |
| Models | CTR-L91 | RMX3840, RMX3841 |
| Price | About 200 EUR | $ 465.00 / £ 299.00 / € 344.26 / ₹ 28,400 |
Huawei nova 13i
- Potentially lower price point
- Familiar Huawei software experience
- Decent performance for basic tasks
- Older Snapdragon 680 chipset
- Slower 40W charging
- Likely inferior camera system
Realme 12 Pro+
- More powerful Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 chipset
- Significantly faster 67W charging
- Brighter display for outdoor visibility
- Longer battery life (13:24h active use)
- Potentially higher price
- Realme UI may not appeal to all users
- Larger size may not suit all hands
Display Comparison
The Realme 12 Pro+ boasts a measured peak brightness of 802 nits, a substantial advantage over what we’d expect from the nova 13i, which lacks published brightness data. This higher brightness translates to better visibility outdoors under direct sunlight. While both likely utilize AMOLED panels (based on market positioning), the Realme’s brightness suggests a more advanced panel. Bezels are likely comparable given the similar overall design language of both devices, but the Realme’s brighter display is a clear win for outdoor usability.
Camera Comparison
Without detailed camera specs for the nova 13i, a direct comparison is limited. However, Realme typically focuses on high-resolution sensors, and the 12 Pro+ likely features a more sophisticated camera system than the nova 13i. The Realme’s image processing algorithms are also likely more refined, offering better dynamic range and low-light performance. The absence of information regarding OIS on the nova 13i suggests the Realme 12 Pro+ will offer superior image stabilization, particularly for video recording. We can assume the Realme will have a more versatile camera setup overall.
Performance
The core difference lies in the chipsets. The Realme 12 Pro+ utilizes the Qualcomm SM7435-AB Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4nm), featuring Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.40 GHz. This is a significant step up from the Huawei nova 13i’s Snapdragon 680 (6nm) with its Cortex-A73 cores clocked at 2.4 GHz. The 4nm process node of the Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 offers superior power efficiency and thermal performance, meaning less throttling during extended gaming sessions. The A78 cores in the Realme also provide a noticeable performance boost in CPU-intensive tasks. While both phones feature 4x1.9 GHz cores for efficiency, the Realme’s architecture is demonstrably more modern and capable.
Battery Life
The Realme 12 Pro+ shines in battery and charging. Its active use score of 13:24h demonstrates excellent endurance. Crucially, the 67W wired charging allows it to reach 50% charge in just 19 minutes, a massive advantage over the nova 13i’s 40W charging, which takes 30 minutes to reach 62%. While the nova 13i’s battery capacity isn’t specified, the faster charging of the Realme effectively mitigates any potential capacity difference, providing a more convenient user experience. The Realme’s efficiency from the 4nm chipset also contributes to its longer battery life.
Buying Guide
Buy the Huawei nova 13i if you prioritize a familiar Huawei user experience and are primarily focused on basic smartphone tasks like calling, texting, and light social media use. Its lower price point makes it an attractive option for first-time smartphone buyers or those on a very tight budget. Buy the Realme 12 Pro+ if you demand smoother multitasking, better gaming performance, and significantly faster charging speeds. This phone is ideal for users who consume a lot of media, play mobile games, or simply want a phone that can keep up with their busy lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Does the Snapdragon 680 in the Huawei nova 13i struggle with demanding games like Genshin Impact?
Yes, the Snapdragon 680 is a budget-oriented chipset. While it can handle less demanding games, Genshin Impact and similar titles will likely require significant graphics settings reductions and may still experience noticeable frame drops. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 in the Realme 12 Pro+ offers a much smoother gaming experience.
❓ How much faster is the 67W charging on the Realme 12 Pro+ compared to the 40W charging on the Huawei nova 13i in real-world use?
The difference is substantial. The Realme 12 Pro+ reaches 50% charge in 19 minutes, while the nova 13i takes 30 minutes to reach 62%. This means you can get a significant top-up in a much shorter time with the Realme, making it ideal for users who are always on the go.
❓ Is the Realme 12 Pro+ likely to overheat during prolonged gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 7s Gen 2’s 4nm process node is designed for improved thermal efficiency. While some heat is inevitable during gaming, the Realme 12 Pro+ is less prone to overheating and throttling compared to devices with less efficient chipsets like the Snapdragon 680.
❓ What type of USB port do both phones use?
Both devices are expected to use USB-C, the current industry standard for charging and data transfer. However, the faster charging speeds of the Realme 12 Pro+ require a compatible charger to achieve the full 67W potential.
